In a recent editorial, we discussed some of the possibilities that can develop after rote kata and renshu training – more specifically, scenario training. Scenario training, in short, is an expanded approach that works to help aikidoka apply what they have learned in kata and renshu training: the basic movements, techniques, and principles of aikido. … Continue reading Implementing Competition-Like Exercises in Aikido Training
Jessica Ye began training kendo at the Cornell Kendo Club and teaching at the Yale Kendo Club when she went to pursue her Master’s and Doctorate. Today, Ye took some time to talk about her experiences in both clubs, how university clubs approach training compared to traditional kendo dojos, and the future of the art … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Jessica Ye: Training and Teaching Kendo at University
Peter Haas began training historical fencing in 2015 at Sword Class NYC in the middle of some life changes. Additionally, he studies Toyama-ryu, which has expanded his understanding of swordsmanship. In the year that followed 2015, Haas created Kollektiv des Messerfechtens and Squinting Rabbit Productions, and teaches at Gotham Swords, striving to be a mentor … Continue reading Interview with Historical Fencing Mentor Peter Haas: Involvement in the HEMA Community
Introduction With over 100,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans spread across the ten relocation centers, many communities were fractured, forcing many to either isolate or function in a new environment with new people. According to martial arts historian Joseph Svinth in 2003, “The ties stayed broken” while in the relocation centers, much like their destroyed kendo … Continue reading Kendo During Japanese American Internment
Hailing from a multigenerational kendo family, Braxton Fukutomi began training in the art at the age of four. As he progressed through kendo, Fukutomi became the head instructor of the Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Club, while his mother continues to run the Waipahu Seibukan Kendo Club. At the Aiea Taiheiji kendo Club, Fukutomi tries to develop … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Hawaiian Kenshi Braxton Fukutomi: Rebuilding Hawaiian Kendo After Covid
Jack Yamada began training kendo under his father, Katsumi Yamada, at a young age. His father headed the Kenshikan Dojo for two decades before passing the position to Garrett Matsumoto. Today, Jack Yamada returns today to talk about the reemergence of the kendo community on the Hawaiian. All images provided by Jack Yamada. Martial Arts … Continue reading Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Jack Yamada: Rebuilding Kendo in Hawaii
Aikido Sangenkai chief instructor Christopher Li began training aikido in the early 1980s under Mitsugi Saotome and Yoshimitsu Yamada, later traveling with the latter to Japan to train at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. By the 1990s, Li began to explore the internal power side of both aikido and the martial arts, ultimately affiliating with Dan Harden … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Sangenkai Chief Instructor Christopher Li: A Historical Perspective of Aikido’s Future
For twenty-five years, Morgan Hooper has been a student of Japanese sword arts. Originally from Long Island, New York, he began training in kendo, Japanese fencing, when he was a teenager. Many years later, he established his own martial arts school Enshinkan Dojo in Long Island City. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, Enshinkan offers … Continue reading Interview with Enshinkan Founder Morgan Hooper: New York Kendo Community
Kiyoshi Yasutake was Akira Tohei’s first student to go from white belt to black belt under him. Beginning in 1973, Yasutake took to aikido with much vigor, learning from and supporting Tohei in his many endeavors through the Midwest Aikido Center and the Midwest Aikido Federation. Today, Yasutake took some time to discuss aikido of … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: Aikido After O-Sensei’s Direct Students
Charley Cummings joined The Saber Legion’s founders Josh Linden and Terry Birnbaum in the first six months of the organization’s existence. From there, it was nowhere but up, becoming the owner and president in 2021. Today, Cummings talks about how The Saber Legion approaches it curriculum, scoring, martial ethos, and its community. Martial Arts of … Continue reading Interview with The Saber Legion President Charley Cummings: Playing Star Wars
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 